Daktronics Venus 1500, Operation Manual, Page: 7 / 45

1.3 Site Selection
Due to the uncertainties associated with radio communication, it is recommended that the
radios be temporarily installed to check signal strength and consistency of communication.
Once the radios have proven reliable in a location, they can be mounted permanently.
The performance of high-frequency radios may be diminished by obstructions that impede
the signal. Therefore, a clear line-of-sight between antennas is required for optimum
performance at maximum range. Refer to
Figure 5 .
Obstructions that interfere with radio signal include but are not limited to:
•
Electrical interference from power lines or street lights close to radio locations.
•
Physical features, such as hills, large buildings, or trees.
•
Telephone, radio, television towers, etc. in the immediate area.
•
Two-way radios or other communication equipment used at the business.
•
Transmission through glass, especially security glass, and communication through a
doorway in indoor installations.
If the radios are not working at optimal performance levels, communication may be slowed
or even lost. In addition, weather conditions, such as strong winds, rain, or snow may
adversely affect the communication signal. The type of message sent can also affect the time
needed to download to the display, with graphic frames and animations taking greater time
than simple text messages.
Figure 5: Good Site and Obstructed Site
1.4 Line-Of-Sight
The radios operate at 2.4 GHz. Radio waves at high frequencies such as this travel in a nearly
straight line-of-sight path. To relay strong signal, the radio antennas that communicate with
each other must be free of any obstructions. Refer to
Figure 5 .
To achieve optimal performance, the radios must meet the following criteria:
•
A clear line-of-sight path among all antennas that communicate directly with each
other. Some obstruction may be tolerated in short range, but it is difficult to predict
the performance if the signal is obstructed.
•
A maximum distance of 500 feet (150 m) indoors and 1,500 feet (450 m) outdoors
between server and client radios. The signal strength indicator LEDs will show the
maximum range of the radios possible in a specific location.
•
All antennas be properly oriented. The antennas distributed with the radio are dipole
antennas that must be oriented in a parallel position for maximum performance.
•
The presence of other radio signals may also cause interference if they are located in
or near the line-of-sight.
Introduction 5